Hi Red. You are a seminal part of our Hip Hop ancestry dating way back in the day – what artists’ grounded your musical journey when growing up as a kid – who made you want to get into our scene in the first place?
“Dan, thank you for the kind words. I got into music at a real young age. I was like 10 or something listening and buying early Motown, Funk and Soul with artists such as James Brown, Otis Reading, Sly & The Family Stone – so many people that made an impression on me from that whole 60s and 70s era. I was raised by my grandparents, we are from an Antiguan heritage so music as you can imagine, was always flying about. But it was my older brother who showed me the way musically with what he was listening to at the time. Later on, got to give respect to the first Hip Hop single to enter the Top 40 – the Sugarhill Gang’s ‘Rapper’s Delight ‘in 1979.”
Who was the DJ that first made you wanted to step up to the wheels of steel?
“Well, I have to give so much credit to Mr Clive Campbell, aka DJ Kool Herc. A truly outstanding Jamaican born DJ who is credited in originating Hip Hop as a music force. He was playing hard Funk records, which was a reaction to the gang culture of the Bronx. Here was the guy who using a two-turntable set-up led to the use of two copies of the same record to elongate the break. This breakbeat DJing, using hard Funk, Rock, and records with Latin percussion formed the basis of Hip Hop. His announcements to dancers helped lead to the syncopated rhymed spoken accompaniment now known as rapping. He called his dancers “break-boys” and “break-girls”, or simply b-boys and b-girls. It was so inspiring. The parties were not only fun but I felt they were my classrooms to an extent. I studied the songs Kool played and the rhythms he used to mix and blend the songs one into the other. Then the likes of Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash came along, but Clive never ever made the transition into commercial Hip Hop with record sales, but he was the man. I used to watch the different eras…the Disco, the Hip-Hop era and then go on a little turntable and try to emulate that sound.”
So you also had quite a famous cousin back then who we all know?
“Ha! Yeah Jazzy Jay is part of my fold. He was born down in South Carolina and moved up to NYC quite early on. He took up the drums then hit The Bronx, was early member of the Universal Zulu Nation and became a major DJ at clubs such as Danceteria and The Roxy – and as you know Dan, DMC inducted him into The Technics/DMC Hall of Fame in 2000.”
What do you make of the current state of the Turntablist scene, you are hosting our DMC American Finals this weekend at the Santos Party House on Lafayette St. on Saturday…?
“There have been a lot of great Turntablists over the years, I have done so much hosting for DMC and it’s always exciting to see who is up and coming. I enjoy open minded DJs who are always looking at different styles and have some flare. Saturday should be off the wall – looking forward to seeing what Shiftee brings out of his bag. Lord Finesse will no doubt be cooking up the best as the in-house DJ this year and we have an exciting looking showcase from DJ Precision. And the sponsors Rane have come in with some great prizes for y’all.
Your name Red Alert – over in the UK the term ‘red alert’ is associated with emergencies on board military ships, why did you choose the sudonym? And why haven’t you revealed your true name to anyone?
“Ha ha. I have never revealed the truth behind my name. I have total privacy with that. I got the nickname whilst playing basketball at DeWitt Clinton High School, the ‘Red’ referred to the color of my hair whilst ‘Alert’ described my style on the basketball court I suppose. Basketball did earn me a basketball scholarship, but it was the love of music that was my main driving force back then.”
Red, you know I will find your real name..
Dan, you’re the only journalist that could find it!
So Fred, your radio shows – a very important part of your life – how did that all begin?
“Man, I been doing the radio show for 26 years and still loving it. I enjoy every audience I can bring music to – a club, a stadium, a mix CD, back at my house entertaining friends, and obviously on the radio. So many treasured moments like when Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B handed me his first record to break over here.”
What are your thoughts on the current US Hip Hop scene – you have many artists such as Jay Z, Snoop, Eminem bringing in the cash – how difficult is it for young artists to break the mould?
Well you have to understand that modern technology has made it so easy for today’s people to change the game around – everyone can be a DJ now. People like myself, Flash, Jazzy and the whole crew deserve what we have, we have worked so hard for it over the years. Now a 15 year old with a computer can suddenly overnight become a big name – we have paid our dues lugging crates of records around and learned too rock a venue. We shall see who comes through…”
Awards a plenty including Rolling Stone Magazine and the Bronx Walk of Fame – do awards like this mean anything to you?
“I was honored to be asked to appear on the Bronx Walk of Fame – I was third in line after Kurtis and Flash – a proper moment. I was also named one of the 50 most influential people in music by Rolling Stone magazine and I also have a display in the Radio Section of the ‘Rock And Roll Hall of Fame’ in Cleveland, Ohio – as far as I know, the only DJ to be honored. General Colin Powell was just up the sidewalk.
Over in the UK we have a bad problem with knife culture, the US has had gun culture in the past – what is the solution?
“It is all about the love given to us from our parents. They have to show us how to live life. Without the respect and manners they teach us, you have no chance.”
Who is your biggest friend in Hip Hop?
“Another good question. I have a lot of brothers out there Dan, we all look after each other and watch each other back’s.”
